Scottish Labour conference: Controversial power station faces the axe

Published on 31/10/2010 17:12

LABOUR has signalled that it will block controversial plans for a new coal-fired power station if it wins power in Scotland next year.

The party's shadow environment minister Sarah Boyack has effectively ruled-out approving plans for the power station at Hunterston, Ayrshire if Labour returns to government at Holyrood.

Scottish Government ministers have been asked to approve the power station after a public consultation exercise was held on the scheme.

Ms Boyack said that "Labour would not support coal power generation without effective carbon capture technology."

She told delegates attending the last day of Scottish Labour's conference in Oban that the party backed a "sustainable energy policy and clean coal" for power stations.

Ms Boyack said: "To take strides towards the 42 per cent carbon reduction target that Lab-our forced the SNP to adopt we need to make this commitment.

"The SNP are failing to take any effective action and it is Lab-our that is again leading this agenda.

"With investment and support for renewable technology schemes, including community and micro-generation, Scotland can play its part in ensuring a greener future.

"Scotland needs a sustainable energy policy and clean coal can be a significant part of that."

Environmental leaders welcomed the policy.

WWF Scotland director Dr Richard Dixon said: "This new policy clearly rules out the proposal for a new coal power station at Hunterston and we congratulate Sarah Boyack for firmly driving another nail into the mouldering coffin of the terrible proposal.

"Labour's new policy means they are joining the Lib Dems and the Greens in rejecting this application to increase pollution.

"Surely even Ayrshire Power must have got the message that Scotland doesn't want this power station."

Friends of the Earth Scotland chief executive Duncan McLaren said: "Scotland needs neither new nor replacement fossil fired or nuclear power stations, even if electricity demand grows to fuel electric vehicles and heating.

"Friends of the Earth Scotland welcomes Labour's continued opposition to the Hunterston coal proposal."